FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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Fair question. Similar to allopaths, we’re required to attend a 4-year fully accredited 4-year medical university for their post-graduate study. And during that rigorous training, we are put through basic science boards as well as clinical rotations and we have to pass a national exam at the end of our education. Beyond that, there are licensing boards and regulating entities, national and state wide. Their entire function is to serve the public and make certain that naturopaths are practicing within their scope based on their education, keeping the practice of naturopathy safe within that scope. They also require naturopaths are licensed each year and follow continuing education requirements.

There are definitely similarities between primary care medical doctors and naturopaths because within the state health department, we are considered primary care physicians, we are able to prescribe pharmaceutical agents, legend drugs, we are able to order diagnostic studies and interpret them, like labs. We are also able order preventative screening tests and follow care over the course of your life. There are definitely quack doctors that are dangerous. Our industry calls them “the undies” because they practice outside of regulation and outside of licensure. They are acquiring certificates on an online 6-week course, put a little plaque on the wall that says, “naturopath” and they’re dangerous. You couldn’t quack much louder than that!

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“Hello everyone!” Most people come in overloaded with information and in turn, they’re stuck in stagnation. They’re missing the algorithm that allows them to follow to navigate the complexities of the health journey. It’s my job to uncover that algorithm and work through it with you. The most important thing is uncovering that first question then we can navigate to a “yes” or a “no” and depending on the answer, we move in the appropriate direction. Then we can shed all the irrelevant extraneous information and it feels better already. And then the next question we arrive at, we follow that algorithm down to a place of clarity, the most important next step for you at this moment. And we find a way to take that next step that feels accessible to you.

I think sometimes patients are afraid of disappointing the doctor. I am telling you now that it can be way worse than that, you could be disappointing yourself. It’s my job to talk you off the ledge and let you know you have your entire lifetime to improve this process and you should take it in stride and have grace with yourself. It’s my job to manage your expectations and keep them in the context of healing and the context of care.

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Before working with you, we ensure our patient has a primary care physician. Dr. Neale serves as a second support health advisor on your health “board of directors.” She will routinely consult and recruit the experts or specialists, both ND and MD when needed. It takes a village they say. And it’s no different in the realm of your health.

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Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems, covering all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care.

Clinical nutrition is the cornerstone of naturopathic medicine. It refers to both the practice of using food to maintain health and the therapeutic use of food to treat illness. Scientific research has shown that many medical conditions can be treated as effectively with food and nutritional supplements as they can by other means, with fewer complications and side effects.

Homeopathy is a powerful system of medicine that is more than 200 years old. Homeopathy is a system which uses extremely small doses of natural substances to stimulate the body’s own ability to heal, and thus is based on many of the same principles as naturopathy – treating the cause, treating the whole person, doing no harm, and using the healing power of nature. Homeopathy is part of the foundation of Naturopathic medicine, yet it may be taught and practiced just by itself and by health care providers who are not Naturopathic physicians.

Botanical medicine is the use of plants as medicine. Many plant substances are powerful medicines that are safe and effective when used properly. A resurgence of scientific research in Europe and Asia is demonstrating that some plant substances are superior to synthetic drugs in clinical conditions.

Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in the person which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.

Identify and Treat the Causes.

The Naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm.

Naturopathic physicians follow these precepts to avoid harming the patient:

Utilize methods and medical substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat.

Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms.

Acknowledge, respect and work with the individual’s self-healing process.

Doctor as Teacher.

Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person.

Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, Naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.

Prevention.

Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease – assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

nuHealth Clinic provides each patient with a comprehensive and inclusive SuperBill. Each patient can in-turn submit their SuperBill to their insurance company for reimbursement. Payment for your visit is due in full at time of service. We accept cash, check, mastercard, visa, discover, and amex.

Currently, 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have licensing laws for Naturopathic physicians. Kansas and Minnesota have enacted registration laws for Naturopathic physicians. In these states, Naturopathic physicians are required to graduate from a four year, residential naturopathic medical school and pass extensive postdoctoral board examination in order to receive a license. Licensed Naturopathic physicians must ful-fill state mandated continuing education requirements annually, and have specific scope of practice defined by their state’s law. The jurisdictions that currently have regulatory boards permitting the practice of naturopathic medicine are as follows:

Naturopathic medical colleges are four-year, graduate level medical schools with admissions requirements comparable to those of other medical schools. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (ND) is awarded after classroom, clinic and practical study. NDs are trained in medical sciences including:

Anatomy

Cardiology

Physiology

Neurology

Biochemistry

Radiology

Pathology

Minor Surgery

Microbiology

Obstetrics

Immunology

Gynecology

Dermatology

Pharmacology

Pediatrics

Lab Diagnostics

Clinical and Physical Diagnosis

Throughout the four year program, there is training in Naturopathic therapeutics, including therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, hydrotherapy, Naturopathic manipulative therapy, and other therapies.

The accrediting agency for Naturopathic medical schools and programs in North America is the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).

There are presently seven colleges accredited by the CNME in North America.

A Naturopathic Physician (ND) is an expert in natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-patient wellness – the medicine is tailored to the patient and emphasizes prevention and self-care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment. For example, congestion might be caused by a food intolerance or environmental factor – a Naturopathic physician would focus diagnosis and treatment on these causal factors. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.